Arza
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Arza in the Bible?
Arza served as the steward for King Elah of Israel. During a banquet at the royal residence in Tirzah, Zimri, a military commander, assassinated Elah and subsequently seized the throne, with some textual interpretations suggesting Arza may have been a subordinate of Zimri rather than Elah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Arza clarifies the administrative structure of the northern kingdom and underscores the volatile nature of political succession during the Omride period, where court officials and military leaders frequently engaged in violent coups to secure power.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Arza in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Arza clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.